Automated entry

Abstract

Automated entry to properties is implemented by a portable computing device receiving a registration of a visitor to use an automated system for visiting properties. The registration includes identification of the visitor and an image of the visitor. The visitor unlocks a lock box or an automated door lock on the property, subject to confirmation of identity of the visitor. This includes capturing an image of the visitor at the property or within a predetermined distance from the property, and performing a computer implemented comparison of the image of the visitor captured at the property, or within a predetermined distance from the property, with the image of the visitor included in the registration information to determine if there is a match.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An automated entry system for providing automated entry to properties, comprising:
 an automated entry application running on a portable computing device; and 
 a central property application running on a server available over a network, wherein the automated entry application communicates with the central property application over the network; 
 wherein the automated entry application receives registration information from a visitor who desires to use the automated system for visiting properties, the registration information including identification of the visitor and an image of the visitor; and 
 wherein the central property application running on the server enables the visitor to unlock a lock box or an automated door lock at each visited property of the properties, subject to automated confirmation of identity of the visitor at the visited property, the automated confirmation of identity being performed by the visitor being instructed to take a selfie image at a particular location and orientation at the visited property or within a predetermined distance from the visited property and by comparing the selfie image of the visitor captured by the portable device at the visited property with the image of the visitor included in the registration information to determine if there is a match and checking a background of the selfie image to confirm the selfie image was captured at the particular location and orientation at the visited property or within a predetermined distance from the visited property. 
 
     
     
       2. An automated entry system as in  claim 1 :
 wherein the portable computing device obtains an identifying number of the lock box or the automated door lock; and 
 wherein the portable computing device sends a wireless signal to the lock box or the automated door lock to unlock the lock box or the automated door lock. 
 
     
     
       3. An automated entry system as in  claim 1 :
 wherein the automated entry application provides the visitor an opportunity to apply to rent the property. 
 
     
     
       4. An automated entry system as in  claim 1 :
 wherein the selfie image of the visitor shows the face of the visitor. 
 
     
     
       5. An automated entry system as in  claim 1 :
 wherein GPS information from the portable device is also used to confirm the selfie image of the visitor is captured by the portable computing device at the visited property or within a predetermined distance from the visited property. 
 
     
     
       6. An automated entry system as in  claim 1 :
 wherein the portable computing device is a cell phone tablet computer, or laptop computer. 
 
     
     
       7. An automated entry system as in  claim 1 :
 wherein the portable device compares the selfie image of the visitor captured by the portable device at the visited property with the image of the visitor included in the registration information to determine if there is a match. 
 
     
     
       8. An automated entry system as in  claim 1 :
 wherein the central property application compares the selfie image of the visitor captured by the portable device at the visited property with the image of the visitor included in the registration information to determine if there is a match. 
 
     
     
       9. A method for providing automated entry to properties, comprising:
 receiving, by a portable computing device, a registration of a visitor to use an automated system for visiting properties, the registration including identification of the visitor and an image of the visitor; 
 providing, by the portable computing device, an interface to the visitor that allows the visitor to schedule an automated showing of a property at a visitor selected time and date; and 
 enabling the visitor to unlock a lock box or an automated door lock on the property at the visitor selected time and date, subject to confirmation of identity of the visitor at the property, including the following substeps:
 directing the visitor to use the portable device to take a selfie image at a particular location and orientation at the property or within a predetermined distance from the property, and 
 performing a computer implemented comparison of the selfie image of the visitor captured by the portable device at the property, or within a predetermined distance from the property, with the image of the visitor included in the registration information to determine if there is a match and checking a background of the selfie image to confirm the selfie image was captured at the particular location and orientation at the property or within a predetermined distance from the property. 
 
 
     
     
       10. A method as in  claim 9 :
 wherein the selfie image of the visitor shows the face of the visitor. 
 
     
     
       11. A method as in  claim 9 :
 wherein GPS information from the portable device is also used to confirm the selfie image of the visitor is captured by the portable computing device at the property or within a predetermined distance from the property. 
 
     
     
       12. A method as in  claim 9 :
 wherein the portable computing device is a cell phone, a tablet computing device, or a laptop computer. 
 
     
     
       13. A method as in  claim 9 :
 wherein the portable device compares the selfie image of the visitor captured by the portable device at the property with the image of the visitor included in the registration information to determine if there is a match. 
 
     
     
       14. A method as in  claim 9 :
 wherein a central property application compares the selfie image of the visitor captured by the portable device at the property with the image of the visitor included in the registration information to determine if there is a match.